Half Day Fishing Trip in Florida - Redfish, Flounder and More
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and troutCaptain Quintin Valls guides aboard 24foot Tremblay motorboatEarly morning departure accommodates anglers of all skill levels
Captain Quintin Valls knows these Homosassa waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 4-hour private inshore trip is perfect for anyone looking to get their lines wet in some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds. You'll launch at 7:00 AM from MacRea's of Homosassa aboard his 24' Tremblay motorboat – plenty of room for up to four anglers, though the base rate covers two. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting started with saltwater fishing, Captain Quintin tailors each trip to match your experience level and keeps things fun and relaxed while maximizing your time on productive water.
Homosassa's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing on Florida's west coast, and Captain Quintin knows exactly where to find the action. You'll be fishing grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines where redfish cruise looking for an easy meal. The 24' Tremblay gives you a stable platform with enough space to move around comfortably, plus the shallow draft needed to get into those skinny water spots where the big fish hide. This isn't a cattle boat operation – with just your group aboard, you get personalized attention and can fish at your own pace. The captain provides all tackle and bait, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat. Morning trips are prime time for inshore species, when the water's calm and fish are actively feeding after the night.
Captain Quintin runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what's biting. You'll likely be throwing live shrimp under popping corks around structure, working soft plastics along grass edges, and maybe even sight fishing if the water's clear and fish are tailing. The Homosassa area is famous for its grass flats that hold sea trout and redfish, plus the numerous creeks and backwaters that attract snook and sheepshead. Oyster bars are money spots for sheepshead, while the deeper grass edges produce flounder and bigger trout. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the trip – if one spot isn't producing, you'll move to the next. The shallow draft boat means access to areas bigger vessels can't reach, giving you shots at fish that don't see much pressure. Live bait is king here, but artificial lures definitely have their place, especially when fish are aggressive.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Homosassa inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are available year-round. They average 18-27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish and some oversized bulls mixed in. Reds love to cruise the grass flats and oyster bars, often in surprisingly shallow water. When you hook one, get ready for a bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. They're not acrobatic like tarpon, but they use their broad shoulders and know every piece of structure to wrap you around.
Sea trout are another staple that'll keep your rod bent throughout the morning. These spotted beauties are most active in cooler months but can be caught year-round if you know where to look. They average 14-20 inches, with some gator trout pushing 24 inches or better. Trout love live shrimp under corks around grass edges, and their soft mouths mean you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them. The bigger females are full of roe in spring, making catch-and-release the smart play for future fishing.
Snook are the prize species that every angler wants to tangle with, and Homosassa's backwaters hold some real slabs. They're most active during warmer months, ambushing baitfish around mangrove points and creek mouths. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and line-breaking runs toward structure. The slot size means you need at least 28 inches to keep one, but the thrill is in the fight anyway. These fish have serious attitude and the power to back it up.
Sheepshead might not win beauty contests, but they're some of the best eating fish in the water and challenging to catch. These convict-striped bottom dwellers hang around oyster bars and pilings, picking at fiddler crabs and barnacles with their human-like teeth. They require finesse – light tackle, small hooks, and a gentle touch to feel their subtle bites. Once you figure out their rhythm, you can load up on these tasty panfish that fry up better than anything else in the cooler.
Summer flounder round out the slam and provide excellent table fare with their mild, flaky meat. These flatfish bury in sandy bottom near grass edges, waiting to ambush passing baitfish. They're masters of camouflage and can be tricky to spot even when you're looking right at them. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right presentation – usually live bait or soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom. When you feel that distinctive tap-tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook, or you'll pull the bait right out of their mouth.
Captain Quintin's half-day trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and visitors flock to Florida's Gulf Coast. This top-rated Homosassa experience gives you four solid hours of productive fishing time without breaking the bank or taking up your whole day. The 7:00 AM departure gets you on the water when conditions are typically best, and you'll be back at the dock before the afternoon heat kicks in. Whether you're looking to put dinner in the cooler or just want to bend some rods with friends and family, this trip delivers consistent action with one of the area's most knowle
This classic 24-foot Tremblay from 1989 is your ticket to some serious inshore action around Homosassa's productive waters. Powered by a reliable 175HP Yamaha, she'll get you to the best redfish flats and flounder holes without burning through fuel. The boat's design handles Florida's shallow waters like a champ, whether you're working the grass beds for sea trout or sneaking up on snook around the mangroves. With GPS to mark those hot spots, VHF radio for safety, and a fish finder to locate schools, you've got everything needed for a productive morning on the water. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to cast and fight fish, while the stable platform makes it easy to land that trophy red or handle multiple hookups when the bite gets hot.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Florida's signature species with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Around Homosassa, most fish run 18-27 inches - perfect slot-size fish that fight like crazy. They love super shallow water, often with their backs showing, around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're schooled up and feeding hard. What guests love is watching them cruise the shallows and that powerful fight once hooked - they'll make long runs and really test your equipment. Plus they're excellent eating with firm, sweet meat. My advice: use topwater lures early morning over shallow flats. When you see them tailing, cast past the fish and work your bait back through - they spook easily but the strike is worth the wait.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are bread-and-butter fish that'll keep your rod bent all morning. They average 14-18 inches with plenty of 2-3 pounders mixed in, plus the occasional "gator trout" over 5 pounds that really gets your heart pumping. Look for them over grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and potholes. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite and that classic inshore fight with jumping and head shaking. They're also great table fare with tender, flaky white meat. The key is working topwater plugs or soft plastics over the grass beds early morning. Listen for their distinctive "drumming" sound underwater - when you hear that, you know you're in the right spot.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those distinctive black stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth - perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs. Most fish run 2-5 pounds, though we see plenty in the 8-10 pound range around deeper structure. You'll find them tight to any hard structure - docks, bridges, rocks, anywhere barnacles grow. Winter through early spring is prime time when they're spawning around passes and deeper water. Guests love the challenge because they're notorious bait thieves with light bites, but once hooked they fight hard. Plus, they're some of the best eating in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. The secret is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and don't hesitate when you feel that nibble - set the hook fast and firm.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier gamefish, known for that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. Most run 18-28 inches, but big females can hit 35+ inches and really put up a fight. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and fresh water - basically any structure with current. Spring through fall are prime time, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag. They're also fantastic table fare with firm white meat. Here's the key: get your bait tight to structure and be ready - they hit hard but have sandpaper mouths, so keep steady pressure once hooked.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of camouflage on sandy bottoms and grass flats. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, but doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds are always possible. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Look for them in 3-15 feet of water around structure transitions and drop-offs. Fall months are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What guests love is the challenge of finding them and that sweet fight once hooked - plus they're some of the best eating you'll find. The trick is to fish slow along the bottom with live minnows or bucktails. When you feel that tap-tap-tap, let them run with it before setting the hook - they bite sideways and need time to turn the bait.
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